FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20514, 4 September 1936, Page 6

FOOTBALL

AUSTRALIAN TEAM PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION By Telegraph —Press Association WELLINGTON, September 3 A request that the Prime Minister should consider introducing the 40hour week restriction on the working of rata was made by Mr W. H. Cerutti, acting-manager of the Australian Rugby team at the Parliamentary reception to -day. The team, he said, had been dogged by bad weather, and felt it was about time that the amount of rain was reduced. Representatives of the Government and the New Zealand and Wellington Rugby Unions were present at the reception. In welcoming the visitors, Mr Savage emphasised the good fellowship of sport and the ability of players to recover from setbacks. He considered that sporting principles applied to world political machinations would quickly put an end to war or thoughts of it. Mr J. A. Lee, Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, paid a tribute to Australian sportsmanship and courage. Mr Cerutti apologised for the absence of the manager, Mr Gordon Shaw, who had been taken ill at Napier and who would not rejoin the team until this evening. Mr E. S. Hayes, captain of the team, also spoke. It was ascertained to-day in connection with the visit of the Australian Rugby team that it was very doubtful whether either E. S. Hayes (captain) or W. H. Cerutti would be able to play again on the tour. These two were injured in the first match with Auckland, Hayes having a rib fractured and Cerutti two bones in the cheek broken. Both had been greatly missed in recent matches. Hodgson, an outstanding forward, had an ankle injured in yesterday’s match and is now under treatment, though he is still hopeful of being able to play on Saturday. There are others suffering from minor injuries.